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Hercules The Bear

The Studio, Edinburgh

Three stars


As Scotland’s legends go, the one about the wrestling bear who became an international superstar is up there with the best. Even better, the story of how professional grappler Andy Robin and his wife Maggie bought the bear as a cub and welcomed it into the bosom of the family is all true.  

 

Younger generations who never witnessed Hercules during his colourful lifespan can use this brand new play presented by the Tenterhooks company as an entry point into his life and times with Andy and Maggie. This fifty-minute child friendly confection was brought together by company member and lead artist on the show Fergus Dunnet. Hercules is brought to life by way of a set of ever expanding puppets by Dunnet and Gretchen Maynard-Hahn, all operated and inhabited by Suzie Ferguson.

 

Co-directed by Dunnet and Emily Reutlinger, the show was devised with Ferguson and fellow performers Diane Thornton as Maggie and Ben Winger as Andy. The result is a charming dot to dot of Hercules’ greatest hits, from becoming Robin’s sparring partner in the ring to being hailed as a TV and film star. All this builds towards what was arguably Hercules’ most famous moment in the spotlight when he went missing on Benbecula for over three weeks while filming an advert for toilet paper.

 

With barely a word spoken, the series of set pieces are moved along by brief snippets of radio broadcasts, while a colourful and versatile set switches from family vehicle to inflatable wrestling ring with ease. While there is plenty more to be told about the adventures of Hercules, this as good a starting point as any to make acquaintance with the most human bear who ever lived.


The Herald, October 2nd 2025

 

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